Program Details
“Danses Mythologique” with Shahrokh Moshkin Ghalam
Gala at Lincoln Center - Alice Tully Hall
New York, June 28, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
Program Details
Part 1. “Khosrow and Shirin” in three acts:Act 1. Khosrow’s frivolous young years
Act 2. Shirin dreamily awaiting Khosrow
Act 3. The lovers meet: pride and passion
“Khosrow
and Shirin” is based on a historical story of love and enchantment
portraying Shirin, a princess of Armenia, and Khosrow, the Persian
Emperor, as lovers. Composed by Nezami, an acclaimed Persian poet of
the 12th century, the sensuous, dramatic, and refined love epic not
only displays Nezami’s daring stylistic innovations, but also his
genius for a delineation of the intense inner life of a broad range of
characters, in particular women, who are depicted as strong-willed and
sophisticated figures, while at the same time capable of much
tenderness and even self-sacrifice for their high ideals. The
Metropolitan Museum of Arts houses a series of splendid miniatures
illustrating the romantic epic. To learn more, you may consult
Encyclopaedia Iranica’s article on
Khosrow and Shirin.
Part 2. “Bahram-e Gur and Dorsati” in three acts:Act 1. Bahram hunting a female onager, followed by his bloody combat with the dragon
Act 2. Dorsati telling her story through dance
Act 3. The marriage of Dorsati and Bahram
“Bahram-e
Gur and Dorsati” is inspired by the story of the “White Pavilion,” from
Seven Pavilions, another magnificent romantic epic by Nezami. While
wandering through the palace, the Sasanian king Bahram-e Gur discovers
a locked room containing the portraits of seven princesses, one from
each of the seven climes, with whom he immediately falls in love, and
wins them as his brides. To house his new wives, he orders the
construction of seven domed pavillions each ruled by one of the seven
planets and adorned with the color associated with the clime and planet
of its occupant. Each day of the week, the king visits a different
princess in her splendid pavilion and she regales him with a story
matching the mood of her respective color. On Friday, the seventh day
of the week in the Persian calendar, the king visits the White
Pavilion, associated with the planet Venus, where Dorsati, the Princess
of Persia, mesmerizes him by her sensual stories. To learn more, you
may consult Encyclopaedia Iranica’s articles on
Haft Peykar and
Bahram.
Part 3. “Sohrab and Gordafarid” in one act:"Sohrab
and Gordafarid" is inspired by the Shahnameh (Book of Kings), a
masterly rendition of Iran’s national history in verse by Ferdowsi.
Gordafarid is a legendary valiant young girl who, in the guise of a
man, defeats several warriors. She is, however, defeated by Sohrab.
Upon removing her helmet, he realizes that his adversary belongs to the
opposite sex and falls in love with her. Gordafarid takes Sohrab up to
the gate of the fortress, which she enters, and the gate closes behind
her. The most haunting part of this episode is her conversation with
Sohrab, who unbeknown by his father, Rostam, Persia’s legendary
national hero, is killed by him.
Scenes Summaries (I-V)
Scene I. Khosrow Parviz
After
long years of suffering and sacrifices, Hormoz, King of Persia, is
given a son by the grace of God. He calls him Khosrow Parviz. Handsome
as the sun, he radiates signs of royalty right from birth. He misuses
his youth, his beauty and his power to the point that his father
banishes him to a far away land.
Scene II. ShirinPrincess
Shirin of Armenia, a horsewoman and a hunter, is exquisitely beautiful
and proud. Khosrow Parviz, whose charms no woman can resist, is
surprised when Shirin does not succumb to him upon their first
encounter. Before managing to take her as a conquest, Khosrow Parviz
experiences years of sadness and pain, but in the end love brings them
together.
Scene III. BahramBahram, the Persian
Emperor, squanders away his youth in frivolities. His talents as a
hunter earn him the title of Bahram Gur (the onager hunter). One day,
the hunt for a female onager brings him close to a cave in which a
dragon sleeps. During a bloody battle, Bahram slays the dragon with two
arrows to the eyes. He then goes into the cave and finds a strange
fresco representing seven domes, each of a different color, each
crowned by a star that corresponds to a day of the week, and each
sheltering a princess from a different country. Suddenly, the
princesses come to life and each tells a love story.
Scene IV. DorsatiIn
the white domed pavilion, under the aegis of Friday, the day of Venus,
the Persian princess Dorsati tells Bahram-e Gur a story as grotesque as
it is saucy: hidden behind the lacy screen of his tent, the master of
the house watches cheerful virgins of incredible beauty as they jump
naked into the pond of his secret garden. It is understood that the
young women will lead the chosen one to the master. However, with each
attempt, something unexpected interrupts the realization of desire. The
master then realizes the perversity of his actions and asks for
forgiveness. He will only enjoy his lover after a divinely ordained
marriage.
Scene V. Sohrab and GordafaridSohrab is
born of a night of love between the great Persian hero Rostam and
Princess Tahmineh, the daughter of the king of Samangan. Seeking his
father, Sohrab goes to Persia. Although still young, he already has the
reputation of a great hero, bringing terror to the hearts of his
adversaries, who attempt to prevent him from arriving at his
destination. Gordafarid, a young warrior maiden, disguised in the armor
of a man, challenges Sohrab. During the battle, Sohrab uses his lance
to throw Goradfarid’s helmet to the ground. Her courage and patriotism
impress Sohrab and touch his heart.
Cast
Shahrokh Moshkin Ghalam
is an internationally acclaimed Persian artist, who specializes in
Middle Eastern and mystical dances and has a deep interest in Indian,
Indonesian, and Flamenco dances. Shahrokh joined the renowned Theatre
du Soleil in 1991, where he played lead roles in several of Ariane
Mnouchkine’s productions. He has also played in two of Shakespeare
plays “Twelfth Night”, directed by Christophe Rauch, and Romeo and
Juliet” directed by Lionel Briand.
Karine Gonzalez is an
eminent artist whose dances integrate many styles, including Persian
mystic dancing. Karine’s performances as Shirin and Gordafarid enhance
the dramatic effect of the program.
Sanaz Partovi is the
noted young Persian choreographer and solo performer, who revives the
poetic essence of the legends through her fascinating and inimitable
narration.
Video Preview
Below is an introductory video that is a short preview of the Encyclopaedia Iranica's Lincoln Center Gala event.
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